| "Testosterone boosting" supplements/formulas have | | | | A very quick word on Non-T mediated Effects. This |
| become a very popular category in the supplement | | | | article is looking at two specific issues as it relates to |
| industry of late. It seems everyone, boy or man, | | | | the T booster products: |
| seems to want to "boost" their levels of the hormone | | | | The impact on T levels specifically |
| that makes men men. Don't get me wrong, I am a big | | | | That people are using them in an attempt to alter |
| fan of this hormone, and readers can see that via my | | | | body composition and or increase strength |
| other writings on the topic found throughout this web | | | | I am not looking at other potential uses, such as for |
| site. Everyone, men and women, can potentially benefit | | | | libido and such, which may happen by what's called |
| from maintaining optimal levels of this essential | | | | "non-T mediated" effects. Meaning, they have an |
| hormone. | | | | effect, but not via testosterone per se. For example, |
| However, this write up is not going to cover the | | | | Horny goat weed contains biologically active |
| hormone per se, but to discuss the various | | | | compounds that may have Viagra-like effects that act |
| over-the-counter (OTC) products/formulas claiming to | | | | via PDE 5 inhibition. There are other active compounds |
| increase it. As there are literally hundreds, perhaps | | | | found in various herbs and such that show some |
| thousands, of products/formulas on the market at this | | | | promise in the areas of libido and others, but they are |
| point, all claiming to "boost" this important hormone, I am | | | | often not doing their "thing" via testosterone, and even |
| going to be talking in generalities about these products | | | | if they are, that does not mean the effects it's having |
| vs. a specific ingredient or formula. | | | | on testosterone - be it to lower SHBGs, increase free |
| A few ingredients in these formulas have been shown | | | | T, or what have you - is adequate to impact body |
| - via dubious "research" at best - to have a small | | | | composition and or strength. And, as mentioned |
| impact on T, with the majority of them either having no | | | | previously, many of these compounds are very dose |
| research behind them or research that found they did | | | | specific, which may or may not exist in that dose in the |
| nada for T levels. To summarize this supplement | | | | product/formula in question. Finally, no place is the |
| category, the T booster supplements generally contain | | | | placebo effect stronger then is the area of libido, but |
| ingredients that: | | | | we won't go there... |
| Have no data behind them - or - | | | | An Open Offer.... |
| The data they do have is of very poor quality/ and | | | | I have made this offer via email (after being contacted |
| or taken out of context/not applicable - or - | | | | by various manufacturers of some T boosting product |
| The doses used in the formula are far below what | | | | usually asking why I'm being so hard on this category |
| a study used to get the effect. | | | | of supplements), and on various forums and such, but |
| Obviously, the above can (and does!) apply to many | | | | will put it out there for all to see: |
| products/formulas in the sports nutrition industry, but I | | | | To any seller/manufacturer of a "T Booster" type |
| find the "T boosters" worse then other categories in | | | | product/formula. If you wish to have the product |
| that respect. OK, so lets give some T booster product | | | | tested to see if it truly does increase T levels, I will be |
| the benefit of the doubt and say it does have some | | | | all too happy to have it tested for you. Be it, a true |
| effects on T. That brings up a few important issues to | | | | double-blind placebo crossover trial, which could also |
| consider. | | | | test whether or not the product in question will alter |
| Physiological Threshold Concepts | | | | body composition (in response to resistance training of |
| Here's a simple thought experiment: If you take a small | | | | course), or as a simple open label study. |
| amount of testosterone, say 25mg per week of T- | | | | For those who don't know, the open label study is the |
| propionate, will your testosterone levels go up | | | | weakest study design, which means its validity may be |
| slightly for a short time? Yes. Will your muscle mass | | | | questioned. However, done correctly, it can at least |
| increase and or your strength increase? Nope. Anyone | | | | give some decent info and it's the least expensive |
| who has ever taken any T - or knows the first thing | | | | study to do by far. In this case, it would simply be used |
| about the topic - knows there's a threshold dose at | | | | to test for the effects on T levels, vs. any effects on |
| which one actually experiences changes in body | | | | the more important issue of changes in body |
| composition and or strength. | | | | composition and or strength. |
| The point being, it's one thing to show formula | | | | I would simply send say 20 men, all of whom are |
| ingredient X has had some small impact on serum | | | | approximately the same age, with approximately the |
| testosterone (and most have not...), quite another to | | | | same amount of time in the gym, and other variables |
| show that change actually had any effects on body | | | | of importance, and have their T levels tested before, |
| composition or other end points people using such | | | | during (mid way) and after using the product. |
| products generally care about, such as increases in | | | | Obviously, they would all be told not to alter their diet, |
| strength and muscle mass. | | | | training programs, or supplement intakes during the |
| As with any hormone, there's a physiological threshold | | | | study period, which would be decided by myself and |
| that has to be met before it actually impacts muscle | | | | the company funding it. |
| mass, strength, etc. Anyone who has ever used T in | | | | The costs would simply be 3 blood draws 3 times X |
| the form of cypionate or enanthate (both long acting | | | | 20 men (as an example, but there may be more or |
| esters of T) knows that changes in body composition | | | | less people in the study), my costs, and the cost of the |
| generally start at around 200mg per week at the least, | | | | product. I would personally tabulate the lab tests |
| with more being the norm. The above assumes a | | | | results, etc, and write it up. Not perfect, but a lot better |
| person with "normal" testosterone levels vs. HRT/TRT | | | | then what most companies currently offer as "proof" |
| therapy for those who are found to be medically low | | | | their T-booster has any effects on T. |
| in T. | | | | If there is a statistically significant effect on |
| So, with all that, do you really think that T booster | | | | T, I will of course eat my words that |
| supplement you are using - which already tends to | | | | such formulas - or at least the formula tested - don't |
| lack any solid data to begin with - is really going to be | | | | generally do jack for T (much less body comp and/or |
| the equivalent of 200mg per week of testosterone | | | | strength, which would not be addressed by such an |
| Cypionate? If so, I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell | | | | open label type study...), will post the results |
| ya'...Hell, the sound of exotic sports cars can raise T | | | | everywhere and anywhere I can (which is a lot of |
| levels. Do you think listening to the sound of a Maserati, | | | | dang places!), and of course the company can use the |
| Lamborghini and Ferrari before you hit the gym will | | | | results for their own marketing with my blessings. I will |
| result in more muscle mass? Me neither....Which brings | | | | not, of course, withdraw my major point: even if said |
| us to the next section in expectation of the obvious | | | | product actually does increase T, this result does not |
| question: how does one know if the T booster he's | | | | imply a change in body composition and/or strength |
| using is having any effects on the production of | | | | unless that too (a much more complex and expensive |
| T? | | | | undertaking to do correctly) is examined. |
| Do you put air in your tires without checking the | | | | Of course, if the results show the product does |
| pressure? | | | | nothing for T levels - or whatever else gets tested for |
| Do you put air in your tires without actually checking to | | | | - I will post that too...That's my open offer - call it a |
| see if you need any air or what the air pressure | | | | challenge if you like - to those manufacturers/sellers |
| actually is before you add additional air to the tires? I | | | | proponents making some outlandish claims about |
| know I don't, but that's exactly what you're doing | | | | T-boosting products. I won't be holding my breath |
| (assuming said T booster actually has any effects on | | | | waiting for anyone to take me up on the offer. |
| T...) by using such a product without actually knowing | | | | Finally, if you want to get your own T levels checked - |
| what your T levels were when you started. Altering | | | | whether you be using such a product or not - ask your |
| your T levels is not a minor undertaking, nor should it | | | | doctor. If you want to find out more about |
| be done casually, and it can have long term effects, | | | | Testosterone "Boosting" supplements, start here. |
| both positive and negative. As I indicated - and we will | | | | Testosterone Boosting Supplement information |
| get more into depth on the topic shortly - I have no | | | | = A fast acting ester of T |
| faith these products are actually impacting T either at | | | | = Typical replacement dose for TRT/HRT is |
| all, or enough to actually cause any changes in body | | | | 100mg weekly of Cyp/enanth with doses adjusted up |
| composition (e.g., increases in LBM and or decreases in | | | | or down depending on blood work and other factors. |
| BF) or strength anyway; but having no idea where you | | | | There are also other methods: patches, gels, etc. |
| are starting from and if the product is doing anything, is | | | | = There's also additional issues that need to |
| just about as dumb as it gets. | | | | be addressed, such the total T/free T ratio, SHBGs, |
| I was going to say something more polite and PC like | | | | estrogen increases/decreases, possible impact on the |
| "it's not logical" but screw that, it's just stupid, not to | | | | HPTA, and other possible changes that are beyond |
| mention a big waste of money in the long run. If you | | | | the scope of this here write up and would be |
| want to go the Bro Logic/Bro Science/hopeful thinking | | | | potentially specific to the ingredient/product/formula in |
| placebo-driven route, it's your money, I guess. I know, I | | | | question. |
| know, you're that one person who is immune to | | | | = if you have such a study already done, |
| placebo effects...Interesting side note - and something I | | | | and it has been published in a peer reviewed legit |
| will blog about in the near future, is the fact that | | | | journal, by all means, send me a copy and I will be |
| placebos are getting stronger! It's vexing the | | | | happy to read it, and if it passes the smell test, happy |
| pharmaceutical industry as we speak, in fact. | | | | to recommend it! |